Spring is upon us and as warmer temperatures arrive so does a variety of vehicle traffic on Iowa’s roadways.

Washington County Sheriff Jared Schneider says one important group to pay attention to when driving on local roads is area farmers this planting season, “Be looking out for the slow-moving vehicles going up and down our highways, our county roads, gravel roads, be prepared to meet them, be patient. When you do see them, slow down, look for safe ways to pass them. Sometimes it’s very easy to get behind some farm equipment or another slow-moving vehicle and think, ‘Why aren’t they getting over onto the shoulder so I can pass them easier?’ But sometimes it’s the equipment that they are driving and the shoulder might not allow them to do that safely.”

Schneider also recommends being cautious when approaching oncoming farm equipment on a roadway, as other oncoming vehicles may not be as patient as you and pull out suddenly to pass the farm equipment right into your path of travel. Drivers should also be aware that farm equipment often has to make wide turns, so try to give them enough room to turn.